The FAI expects the strong performances by the Irish team in their opening World Cup qualifiers to boost its revenues over the coming months, with ticket sales for the forthcoming friendlies against Finland and Denmark being buoyed by the renewed optimism amongst supporters.

Although it is not expected that either game will sell out, the association is anticipating large crowds for both fixtures. This is regarded as particularly important by the FAI at a time when expenditure on Eircom Park has accounted for so much of its cash reserves.

"The senior programme is always vital to us," said the association's treasurer Brendan Menton yesterday. "And I think it's safe to say that we would be confident of doing better out of these games now than we would have, had the qualifiers in Amsterdam and Lisbon not gone so well."

There have been signs lately that the association's finances were stretched to the limit with, for instance, some senior clubs experiencing considerable difficulty in obtaining grants promised to them. The cash generated from the two friendlies, which come after a year in which there was just one competitive international at Lansdowne Road, is intended to ease the pressure until the spring and early summer when Andorra and Portugal visit Dublin.

"The game against Estonia was a huge success for us," said Menton, "and I don't think I've experienced the sort of buzz there was around the ground beforehand for a few years now.

"Some of that good feeling is bound to transfer itself to the games over the winter and, with prices not having been increased for friendlies, they should be attractive nights for the supporters."

The fact that the games will be played in midweek is something that will definitely keep some fans from outside Dublin away, although, as Menton pointed out: "We can only play the games on the agreed international dates."

Ireland defender Richard Dunne, meanwhile, is expected to play at centre half for Everton in this weekend's Premiership game against Southampton at Goodison Park.

The 21-year-old Dubliner was dropped for the recent game against Ipswich after reportedly angering Everton boss Walter Smith with his attitude following the club's League Cup exit to Bristol Rovers.

Steve Staunton is expected to decide on his future by the start of next week, with two clubs, Derby County and his former employers Aston Villa, believed to be the most likely candidates to sign him.

In either case, the former Liverpool player will have to take a very substantial cut from his reported Anfield wage of £26,000 per week.

Finn Harps could be forced to off-load a number of players in the coming weeks as the club's financial plight continues to worsen. According to club chairman, Martin Hannigan, the Donegal club's total debts now amount to £300,000.

And with income exceeding expenditure by around £3,500 a week, the club is now seeking the support of the Donegal public to help turn things around. "We cannot keep going on as we are. We are simply not taking in enough," he said.